Base frame for spring structures



G. KOLSMITH BASE FRAME FOR SPRING STRUCTURES Nov. 927.

Filed May 17, 1925 sulting in weak joints, and

Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES.

1,650,284 PATENT. orr cs.

IPANY,"OF JAcKson, MICHIGAN.

BASE FRAME FOR SPRING STRUCTURES.

Application filed May 17,

This invention relates to base frames for spring structures.

in the present practice in the art of sheet metal base frames for spring structures the frames of S-shape in cross section requlre the formation of a joint or connection between abutting or overlapping ends of a onepiece or sectional frame member and these joints or connections are not satisfactory, reoifering hinnnce to an easy and effective application of the upholstery covering to the base frame. in some instances, the meeting or abuttmg ends of the frames are fastened to one of the border springs and this connection of the ends of the frame or frame sections being all that holds the frame ends or sections from separation, the connection is weak and not effective. Another method has been to form the S-frame in two sections, that is to say, making the same of two sections to correspond to the outline of the seat. 7 In this arrangement, one section forms the front and one half or more of the sides and the other section forms the rear and a portion of each of the sides ofthe frame. In such arrangements it hasbe'en the practice to make the end portions of one section longer than the corresponding end portions of the other section, say two or three inches longer, so as to permit the longer side portions to telescope the corresponding de portions of the cooperating section. This results in the use of more base material than is necessary an item in production, and results also in an unsightly joint which does not hold well and which presents difficulties to the upholsterer when he attempts to pinch or compress the flanges of the outer groove onto the marginal or lower edge of the upholstery coverin It being the practice of the spring manufacturers to build the spring structures and dis pose of same to others who apply the upholstering material, it may be readily seen that the heretofore troublesome and unsightly joint being exposed that it is a feature of importance in the trade and in some instances it controls the sale of goods.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an effective, rigid, neat, well appearing, joint or joints, in the base frame as distinguished from the heretofore ineffective, weak and unsightly joint and one which will not interfere with a ready application of the lower marginal edge of the upthe other but are simply 1926. Serial No. 109,669.

holstery covering to the base frame at the oint of the jointor joints. Y

WVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated'in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction, within the. scope of the claims, may beresorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. I

In the drawings I Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of the: invention, showing the lower edge of the upholsteryapron in the outer groove of, the base frame securedtherein.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the base frame. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view showing the covering not pinched in theouter groove.

Pg. 4 is a sectional view on the line-l-e ofFigQ. I

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the reference character A indicates a sheet metal-base frameof substantially S-shape in cross section, providing an upper flange 5, a lower flange 6 and an intermediate flange 7, resulting in a continuous inner groove 8 in which the border springs 9 are secured and also a continuous outer groove 10 in which the lower edge of the apron 11 of the upholstery covering is secured.

. The base frame A is shown as consisting of a front section a and a rear section I), each having abutting side portions and (Z, respectively. The meeting ends of the sections do not overlap or telescope one within placed end'to end in abutting relation.

To connect the abutting ends of the sections of the frame together there is illustrated thin sheet metal ferrules B which are designed to receive and overlap the abutting ends. Each ferrule is pinched at two or more oints, as at 12 and 13, onto the upper flange of the base frame on opposite sides of the joint formed by the abutting ends of the sections to efiect a secure and rigid connection of the ferrule with the. frame and to provide an effective rigid joint between the sections. It will be seen that the lower or outer flange 6 of the frame is not contracted or indented but is continuous, even and smooth through out its length.

Each ferrule B is of substantially S-shape in cross section and at its upper portion it is bent back upon itself to provide a pair of upper flanges 1%, 14-, relatively close together, to rather snugly but freely receive between them the upper flanges 5 of the frame sections. The upper flange 14 of each ferrule continues inwardly and thence downwardly and taking the shape of the outer groove 10 of the frame section, as at 15 and lying against the walls of the groove 10 with its edge terminatin short of the outer free edge of the lower flange 6. The aforesaid securing connection between the ferrules and frame sections is made preferably along the free edge of the upper flanges 5 of the base frame.

The ends of the sections are slipped into the respective ends of the respective ferrules withoutcontracting the ends and when the ends of the sections have been brought into abutting relation at a point preferably substantially midway of the ends of the ferrules, the latter are then pinched onto the upper flanges 5 on opposite sides of the joint. The result is a highly effective structure, the same being rigid and overcoming the unsightly rough appearance heretofore given the outer side of the frame and permitting ready compression of the lower flange 6 onto the covering to secure the latter in the outer groove of the frame, there being no such stiffness at the joint as heretofore as to cause difficulty in compressing the lower flange onto the cover.

What is claimed is:

1. In a base frame for spring structures including sheet metal sections of substantially S-shape in cross section forming an inner and an outer groove, a ferrule of substantially S-shape in cross section adapted to receive the abutting ends of the sections and i also forming an inner and an outer groove, that portion of the ferrule receiving the sections formed into the inner groove being disposed on the outside thereof, and that portion of the ferrule forming the outer groove being disposed wholly within the outer groove of the sections and terminating a short distance from the edge of the flange on the sections forming the outer groove, and an extension on the ferrule bent to form a groove to receive the flange of the sections forming the inner groove and lying within the inner groove of the sections, the upper flange of the sections and the upper flange of the ferrule being indented to lock the sections and ferrule together.

2. A ferrule of substantially S-shape adapted to connect two S-shaped frame members, said ferrule conforming to the contour of the frame members and located at one side thereof and provided at one of its longitudinal edges with a flange located at the other side of the frame members and cooperating with the adjacent portion of the ferrule to form a longitudinal groove to receive one of the flanges of each of the frame members and to confine the ferrule in tele scoping relation therewith, said ferrule being adapted to be indented at the said flange to interlock it with the frame mem bers to prevent relative longitudinal movement.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. Y v

GEORGE KOLSMITH.

upon itself .1 

